Original Porsche 911 (1964–1973)

Overview

This page covers the original Porsche 911 generation produced from 1964 to 1973, with its September 1963 unveiling as background. Porsche presented the car as the 901 at the Frankfurt motor show. Series production began on 14 September 1964 under that designation; the instruction to rename it 911 followed on 22 October 1964. Production therefore began before the name change. These are calendar dates, distinct from the model years used below. Porsche’s development history.

Ferdinand Alexander Porsche led the body design of the 356 successor. Its 2+2 seating meant two front seats and two smaller occasional rear seats. The rear-mounted air-cooled flat-six—an engine with six cylinders arranged horizontally in two opposing banks—became a defining feature of the 911. Coupe and Targa bodies and successive engine-capacity increases shaped this generation’s development.

Engine and chassis

The original 2.0-litre engine had one overhead camshaft for each cylinder bank. Mounted behind the rear axle, it drove through a transaxle, which combines the gearbox and differential in one assembly. Porsche’s account of the original 901 describes a five-speed gearbox; this specification should not be applied to every later variant. Porsche’s development history. Porsche Classic identifies a four-speed manual transmission for the introductory 911 T. The chassis used independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.

The 911 S was unveiled in calendar year 1966 and belongs to the range from model year 1967; its equipment included forged Fuchs alloy wheels. The lower-priced 911 T followed for model year 1968. The wheelbase increased by 57 millimetres for model year 1969, improving stability. Porsche’s histories place the change during 1968, although their descriptions differ between mid-year and September; the model-year designation is the consistent reference here. Porsche’s original-911 history, Porsche Classic model details.

Bodies and later development

The Targa was unveiled in 1965 and went on sale in January 1967, following initial deliveries to German autobahn police in December 1966. It combined a fixed roll-over bar with a removable roof panel above the occupants. Its separate rear window was initially flexible plastic that unzipped and folded down. A fixed rear window became optional for model year 1968 and standard for model year 1969; this did not replace the removable roof panel. Porsche promoted the concept as a safety-oriented open car. Porsche Museum’s 911 2.0 Targa account.

The range moved from 2.0 to 2.2 litres for model year 1970, with the change introduced during calendar year 1969. The 2.4-litre range followed for model year 1972. These model-year labels should not be read as exact production-start dates. Porsche’s original-911 history, Porsche Classic model details.

The Carrera RS 2.7 was presented at the Paris Motor Show on 5 October 1972 and is listed by Porsche Classic as a 1973 model. It was developed for homologation: approval to compete under racing rules that required a qualifying production series. Its larger engine, widened rear bodywork and characteristic ducktail rear spoiler distinguished it. Porsche describes the spoiler as part of the car’s aerodynamic development, rather than identifying it as an optional accessory. The optional M471 Sport package provided the lightweight configuration; Touring equipment was also offered. Porsche’s Carrera RS 2.7 history.

The original generation ended in 1973; the substantially revised G-series followed for model year 1974.

Key milestones

Calendar dates describe events; model years identify versions of the car and can begin during the preceding calendar year.

• September 1963 — unveiling: Porsche presents the 901 at Frankfurt.
• September–October 1964 — production and naming: Series production begins as the 901 on 14 September; the renaming instruction follows on 22 October. Development history.
• 1965 — unveiling: The Targa is presented; sales begin in January 1967 after initial police deliveries in December 1966. Targa history.
• 1966 — unveiling; model year 1967 — range: The 911 S appears with Fuchs wheels.
• Model year 1969: The wheelbase increases by 57 millimetres, with the change introduced during 1968.
• Model year 1970: The range adopts 2.2-litre engines, introduced during 1969.
• Model year 1972: The range adopts 2.4-litre engines. Original-911 history, Porsche Classic model details.
• October 1972 — unveiling; 1973 model: The Carrera RS 2.7 is presented in Paris on 5 October 1972. Carrera RS history.
• 1973 — generation endpoint: Production of the original generation ends; the G-series follows for model year 1974.

Sources

• The history of the Porsche 911 — Porsche Media
• Porsche 911 F model — Porsche Classic
• Die Entstehungsgeschichte: Vom 754 über den 901 zum 911 — Porsche Newsroom
• The original 911: the masterpiece from Zuffenhausen — Porsche Newsroom
• Porsche 911 2.0 Targa — Porsche Museum
• Fifty years of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 — Porsche Newsroom

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